Seal-lock.



. q/vmemeo R. H. JONES.

SEAL LOOK. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1913. 1,087,020. Patented Feb. 10, 19m

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SEAL LOCK.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 24, 1913.

1,087,020. Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

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RAYMOND H. JONES, 0F MARYSVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

SEAL-LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914:.

Application filed June 24, 1913. Serial No. 775,527.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RAYMOND H. JoNns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marysville, in the county of Yuba and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seal-Locks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in seal locks.

Car seals in order to provide for satisfactory use are required to have certain essentials, among which are to be found the following: The seal must be of a type which will enable records to be made at inspection points in the travel of the car, and the seal must be so formed as to enable the records to clearly identify individual seals; this enables an accurate record to be kept, which record in itself will be useful in settling difficulties which arise due to losses, etc. It must also be of a type which will enable tampering therewith to be readily detected, and in this respect the individual records become of importance. It must be capable of being applied to any and all forms of fastenings in common use and in any weather and at any time. Its construc tion should be such as to prevent an imper: feet application of the seal without ready disclosure of the fact. It should be of a construction which cannot be manipulated in such manner that after being tampered with the seal would appear to be intact. It should be of a form not readily counterfeited, which is legible, which is not complicated in structure, and should preferably be self-contained in order to eliminate the necessity of the use of a separate tool for securing it in position.

The present invention has for its object the production of a seal lock which will substantially meet these conditions, and at the same time provide for individuality to enable accurate records to be kept Other objects are to provide a construction which is simple and efficient in operation, durable in construction, of a comparatively few parts, and which can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

To these and other ends, the nature of which will be readily understood as the invention is hereinafter disclosed, said invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in each of the views, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my improved seal in position to act as a car seal. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the seal with the cover re moved to show interior construction, but the parts being shown in the position in which the seal is unlocked. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the locking bolt as having been moved to an intermediate locking po-' sition. Fig. a is a similar view showing the bolt as having been moved to the final looking position. Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the seal, the parts being in the position shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail view of a strip which may be employed as a part of the seal. Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the lines 77 of Fig. 5. Fig, 8 is a detail view of the bolt actuating member, said member carrying the serial numbers, and Fig. 9 is a detail view, with parts broken away, of the locking member.

The general idea embodied in my present invention is to provide a locking bolt which can be readily moved in a direction to place it in looking position by means of an actuating member, but which bolt, while having a suflicient amount of play, cannot be moved in the reverse direction a distance suflicient to unlock the seal, although the actuating member itself is freely movable after the locking bolt has been moved to-locking position. By employing this general idea I am able to provide a self-contained construction and permit the actuating element to provide for the identification feature. For instance, in the disclosure in the drawings, I have shown the identification to be by means of a serial number, part of which is permanently exposed and part of which is concealed when the seal is unlocked, the actuating element and locking bolt being so positioned that the element cannot be moved to expose the concealed figures without moving the bolt to a locking position. This arrangement permits the actuating element to be moved so as to expose the concealed figures, but such movement can only be ha d under the penalty of moving the bolt to a locking position, and after the bolt has been moved to such position, the actuating ele inent may be moved freely in the reverse direction without affecting the bolt. The preferred arrangement is to provide for two or more locking points on the bolt, these becoming successively operative by the continued movement of the bolt, and this fact enables the use of more than one concealed figure to be successively exposed, and the exposing of one locking the bolt. One particular advantage in this connection lies in the fact that where an inspection point in the travel of the car is reached, the inspector, in order to make his record, is presumed to draw the actuating element outwardly to its limit in order to obtain the complete serial number, and in the event that the initial locking did not carry beyond the first position, this movement of the actuating element will automatically complete the movement of the bolt and carry it to a successive locking point.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which 15 designates acasing having an external configuration somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 1, the arrangement of the walls being shown more particularly in F 2, 5 and 7. As will. be seen, the casing is hollow and enlarged laterally at its bottom, said enlarged portions providing guideways 15 to receive the actuating element 16, the latter having a width greater than the distance between the opposing side walls of the space above the guides, thus providing for a movement of the actuating element in practically a single plane. The portion of the casing above the guides is practically divided into two parts, separated to form an open space, indicated at 17, which space adapted to receive the ends of the strap or other suitable means, designated by 18, the space being of a length suliicient to permit of a ready insertion of the ends of the strap and provide a little play of the ends therein. At an intermediate point in one of the parts of the casing, the side walls are enlarged laterally, as at 15* to present a housing for what may be termed a plug, indicated at 19, said plug fitting within the housing thus formed and intersecting: the length oi the space within the part. As shown more particularly in Fig. 5, the opposing walls of the space 17 are each provided with an opening, as at 15, these openings being in axial alinement and preferably above the middle of the walls for a purpose presently referred to. Similarly the plug 19 has an opening 19 which alines axially with the opening 15 and within the plug 1 preferably provide a lightspring 19" formed so as to project partially over the openings 19.

The plug 19 may be of any desirable form, that shown in the drawings being band-like with the spring interposed bewveen the opposite walls of the band.

i preferred form of locking bolt is exhibited in the several views, the bolt being indicated generally at 20, and having a suitable cro s sectional configuration which by way of example is shown in the drawing as circular. l. he forward end of the bolt may be provided with a dull point, as indicated at 20 The bolt is shown as provided with two locking points or shoulders 20 and 20,

spaced apart in the direction of length of the bolt and being adapted to cot perate with either the plug or the spring therein to prevent a return movement of the bolt, said plug and its spring acting as an abutment with which the shoulders 20 cooperate to prevent such return movement. As will be seen, the bolt, between the shoulders 20" and 20 increases in diameter from the shoulder 20 to the shoulder 20, and this portion of the bolt includes the parts which provide for the intermediate or first look ing position, as shown in Fig. It should be readily understood that while I have shown this increase in size to be provided by inclining the bolt outwardly toward the shoulder 20 this may be obviously varied without affecting the invention, as by beginning the incline at a point removed from the shoulder 20 It is preferred, however, to provide an inclined portion toward the shoulder 20 in order that the bolt may be readily moved to the position shown in ifiigs. 1: and I have illustrated the bolt as l iving a reduced diameter in rear of the shoulder 20, and 1 preferably provide the length of this reduced portion (the latter being indicated at 20) a little in excess of the thickness of the plug 19, this arrangement permitting of a play of the bolt after being finally locked, and at the same time limiting the forward movement of the bolt by the shoulder 20 located at the rear of this reduced portion.

The actuating element is shown more particularly in Fig. 8, being somewhat in the form of a strip, the forward end of which may be reduced in thickness. This arrangement provides for a relatively thin exposed portion which carries identification marks of any desired type, those shown in the drawings being simply a series of figures arranged to provide for a serial number. At the rear of the element 1.6 I arrange a projecting portion 16 which ap iiroximaiely fits within the space above the guides 1.5, this projecting portion being preferably cut away, as at 16", thus providing a shoulder 18", the latter being located to permit the head of the bolt to project thereover when the projection 16 is brought into contact with the inner end of the bolt.

In inactive position the actuating element 16 is disposed as will be found upon inspection of Fig. 2, with the inner end of the projection 16 practically at the inner end of the casing 15. The length of the bolt is such that with the projection 16 in this position, and the head of the bolt in contact with such projection, the dull point of the bolt will project to a small extent into the space 17, this feature aiding in guiding the openings of the strip 18 into position where the bolt will readily pass therethrough. As shown in Fig. 2, in this position of the actuating element, the inner group of numbers are concealed within the casing, so that the complete serial number cannot be determined.

After the ends of the strip have been inserted into the space 17, the element 16 is moved in a direction to tend to withdraw it, this movement necessarily moving the looking bolt so that it passes entirely through the space 17 and into the opposite part of the casing, and if this movement is continued a length sufficient to expose the first of the hidden figures, the bolt will have been moved to a position where the shoulder 20 has passed the plug 19, thus causing the spring to be placed in position where a movement of the bolt in a reverse direction cannot carry it to a point where the strip can be disengaged, this being the position shown in Fig. 3. As the engagement between the bolt and the projection 16 is simply that of a contact engagement, it will be readily understood that the element 16 may be again returned to the position of Fig. 2, without, however, afii'ecting the unlocking action of the bolt. If the withdrawal movement of the element 16 is continued a distance sufficient to expose both of the concealed figures, the locking bolt will have been moved a distance sufficient to carry the shoulder E20 beyond the plug 19 to the positions shown in Figs. 4 and 5, thus placing the bolt in a position where any withdrawal to an unlocking position would require a movement passing both shoulders 20 and 20 by thespring acting as a holding member; and since the free end of the bolt is entirely inclosed as is the headed portion of the bolt, while the element 16 cannot cooperate with the bolt for this purpose, it will be substantially impossible to provide such return movement to the bolt.

When the bolt is in the position shown in Figs. 4.- and 5, it will be seen that the play provided for longitudinal movement of the bolt is such that there is no strain placed on the bolt, nor is there any requirement of an accurate positioning of the bolt in order to make the locking structure effective, an

approximate positioning of the bolt being suflicient. When in this position, the bolt is supported by the opposing walls of the space 17, and while said space is of greater length than the combined thickness of the strip end, it is not sufficient to provide for the insertion of a tool of suitable size, and consequently the breaking of the bolt at this point is rendered diflicult, it being readily understood that accidental breaking would be practically eliminated. Should the bolt be broken intentionally,'the play provided both at its free end and at its locked end is such that a shaking movement of the casing would cause the broken parts to move within the casing and thus give an indication that the bolt has been broken.

Obviously, the element 16 may be moved freely from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 2, this action being without any effect on the locking bolt itself; consequently, the position of the element in this respect becomes of little importance, since it can be readily withdrawn. Inasmuch as the indications are preferably placed on the under side of the element 16, the inspector is practically required to change the position of the casing in order to ascertain the correct identification of the seal, and this movement in itself would tend to cause any broken parts to indicate their presence within the casing.

As will be seen in Fig. 8, the element 16 is increased in thickness at its rear, and this increased portion, when the element has been drawn forward to expose the entire indication, will practically close the opening at the front of the casing through which the element extends, as shown in Fig. 5.

If desired, the relatively thin portion of the element 16 may be bent upwardly at the front end of the casing, should this be desired, this bending practically preventing a return movement of the element. Should destruction of the seal be attempted by breaking off the relatively thin portion through bending it several times, the breaking off of the identification member or the substitution of a different identification part would be prevented as would the destruction of the sealed condition, the return movement of the element which might be possible not being sufliciently great to permit the element to be moved to a position where access could be had to the inte- Any suitable strap or carrier element may be used, it being preferred to employ one with its ends of sullicient area to permit of the formation of openings through which the locking bolt may pass, and at the same time provide suilicient material to with stand the weakening efiect w rich the pres ence of the openings places within the strap. .ln the drawings this element is shown as a strap of suitable n'laterial; ol viously, this might be of wire with the ends flattened, or any other desired structure. in this connection, the location of the bolt above the middle of the vertical portion of the casing becomes advantageous since it allows the placing of the openings spaced from the ends of the strap or strip 18 a sufficient distance to provide for strength and yet permit the seal to swing thereon with the bolt as its axis. it is also desirable to provide the strip or strap 18 with identification marks, and I prefer to place these adjacent the openings, as shown in Fig. 6. By thus providing identification marks on different parts, the seal may be employed generally, the element 10 carrying identification marks *ith respect to the seal itself, while the strap would bear the marks of shipper or other parties, as for instance a railroad, enabling the seal to be used by different companies, the latter simply providing for the straps or strips 18. When the inspector makes his reading of the seal, he includes the marks carried by the strap or strip 18, and the location of the marks is such as to practically direct his eye to the bolt so that attempts to tamper therewith within the space 17 would be unconsciously noted.

is will be readily understood, the device as an entirety is extremely simple and at the same time capable of wide application; it will also be understood that it practically complies with each of the requirements heretofore referred to in connection with seals for this purpose. Inasmuch as the construction is simple, the cost of manufacture will be comparatively low.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the in vention, it will. be obvious that changes or modifications therein may be required or desired to meet the various exigencies of use to which a seal lock of this type may be put, and I desire it to be clearly understood that I reserve the right to make any and all such changes and modifications therein as may be found necessary or desirable in so far as the same may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. In a seal lock, normally inactive looking mechanism including a bolt, and an actuating element for moving the bolt to lockwing condition, said element being freely movable in the return direction, the movements of the element being ineffective to change the locked condition of the bolt.

2. in a seal lock, normally inactive locking mechanism including a bolt adapted to cooperate with a relatively fixed abutment to provide successive locking positions of the bolt, and an actuating element for moving the bolt to and through the several locking positions, said element being freely movable in the return direction, the movement of the element being ineffective to move the bolt to unlocked position.

3. In a seal lock, a casing, a locking bolt therein and movable in one direction to secure the lock to its support, an abutment, said bolt and abutment having complemental means to provide a locking engage ment against return movement of the bolt after the latter has moved a predetermined distance, and an actuating element carried by the casing and having a portion contacting with the bolt when the latter is in inactive position, said element being movable to carry the bolt to locked condition and being freely movable in the return direction, whereby the movement of the element will be ineffective to change the locked condition. of the bolt.

4t. In a seal lock, a casing, a locking bolt therein and movable in one direction to secure the lock to its support, an abutment, said bolt and abutment having complemental means to provide successive locking positions of the bolt with respect to the abutment, either of said locking engagements preventing return movement of the bolt, and an actuating element carried by the casing and having a portion contacting with the bolt when the latter is in inactive position, said element being movable to 'iarry the bolt to locked condition and being freely movable in the return direction, whereby the movement of the element will be ineffective to change the locked condition of the bolt.

In a seal look, a casing, a locking bolt therein and movable in one direction to se cure the lock to its support, an abutment, said bolt and abutment having complemental means to provide successive locking positions of the bolt with respect to the abutment, either of said locking engagements preventing return movement of the bolt, and an actuating element carried by the casing and having a portion contacting with the bolt when the latter is in inactive position, said element being movable to carry the bolt to locked condition and being freely movable in the return direction, whereby the movement of the element will be ineffective to change the locked condition of the bolt, said complemental means including a resilient element adapted to contact with the bolt.

6. In. a seal look, a casing, a locking bolt therein and movable in one direction to secure the lock to its support, an abutment, said bolt and abutment having complemental means to provide successive locking positions of the bolt with respect to the abutment, either of said locking engagements preventing return movement of the bolt, and an actuating element carried by the casing and having a portion contacting with the bolt when the latter is in inactive position, said element being movable to carry the bolt to locked condition and being freely movable in the return direction, whereby the movement of the element will be ineffective to change the locked condition of the bolt, said complemental means including a resilient element adapted to contact with the bolt and shoulders formed on the bolt and adapted to cooperate with said resilient element to hold the bolt against return movement.

7. In a seal look, a casing, normally in active locking mechanism therein, and an identification element movable relatively to the casing and having an identification concealed by the casing when the mechanism is unlocked, said identification being exposed solely when the locking mechanism is in locked condition.

8. In a seal lock, a casing, normally inactive locking mechanism therein, and an identification element movable relatively to the casing and having an identification concealed by the casing when the mechanism is unlocked, said identification being exposed solely when the locking mechanism is in locked condition, said element being free to move in the return direction after the bolt has been locked.

9. In a seal look, a casing, normally inactive locking mechanism therein, and an identification element movable relatively to the casing and having an identification concealed by the casing when the mechanism is unlocked, said identification becoming exposed solely upon placing the locking mechanism in locked condition, said element,

when moved in one direction, acting to render the locking mechanism active.

10. In a seal look, a locking bolt, a straplike support therefor having openings adapted to receive the bolt, said support having an identification mark adjacent said openings, and an identification element independent of the support and also carrying an identification mark concealed when the bolt is in inactive position, said identification element being movable to expose its concealed mark, the mark being completely exposed solely when the bolt has moved to locked condition.

11. In a seal look, a locking bolt, a straplike support therefor having openings adapted to receive the bolt, said support having an identification mark adjacent said openings, and an identification element independent of the support and also carrying an identification mark concealed when the bolt is in inactive position, said identification element being movable to expose its concealed mark, the mark being completely exposed solely when the bolt has moved to locked condition, said element forming means for moving the bolt to such condition.

12. In a seal look, a locking bolt, a straplike support therefor having openings adapted to receive the bolt, said support having an identification mark adjacent said openings, and an identification element independent of the support and also carrying an identification mark concealed when the bolt is in inactive position, said identification element being movable to expose its concealed mark, the mark being completely exposed solely when the bolt has moved to locked condition, said element forming means for moving the bolt to such condition and being freely movable to again conceal the mark without affecting the locked condition of the bolt.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RAYMOND H. JONES. 'Witnesses R. C. SLIGAR, W. J. HOLMES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

